3 Bible Questions That Still Matter Today

The Bible is packed full of questions. In fact, it contains thousands of questions. Asked by a colourful assortment of individuals, they come from prophets, kings, pharaohs, priests, judges, fishermen, farmers, and Jesus Himself. Some genuine, some rhetorical, while others more deviously designed to entrap. One thing is clear: the Bible treats questions as a vital pathway to truth—and ultimately to knowing God.

Of the thousands of questions found in the Bible, there are three very important ones that ought to be grappled with. These are essential questions that cut to the chase and get to the heart of the matter. They are, in my opinion, the questions that still matter today—the answers carrying eternal implications.

Let's get into it.

Question 1: "What is truth?" (John 18:38)

This famous but cynical question was asked by Pontius Pilate—the Roman governor tasked with overseeing Jesus' trial before His death and resurrection. The person being asked the question is Jesus Himself. The following words were exchanged between Jesus and Pilate:

Twice, Jesus uses the word "truth" when asked by Pilate to confirm His identity. Completely missing the point, he responds cynically with, "What is truth?" in an almost mocking fashion. In Pilate's world, truth wasn't absolute. It wasn't crystal clear and certainly wasn't going to be found in the affairs of the Jewish population he was ruling over.

And yet, whatever the jesting spirit of his question, it still remains a good question to those who ask in good spirit. The tragedy of Pilate is that truth itself, personified in the person of Jesus Christ, stood right in front of him.

Earlier, Jesus had declared, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). In the Christian doctrine of the incarnation, God has come into the world in human flesh. The Christmas narrative tells us the angels named Him Emmanuel — “God with us.”

In our age of “my truth” and “your truth,” the Bible offers something far better. Jesus, the living Truth, invites us not only to know what is true, but to be set free by it (John 8:32).

What is truth? Truth is not an abstract idea; it begins with a Person. Read John 14:6.

Do you know the truth?

Question 2: "Who do you say that I am?" (Matthew 16:15)

The Bible's second important question that still matters today is found in Matthew 16:15. Jesus is having a conversation with His disciples. It went like this:

In this fascinating conversation, Jesus asks His disciples, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter's confident declaration in response to Jesus' probing question draws out one of the Bible's greatest statements about the Messiah—that He is indeed the Christ (Messiah), the Son of the living God.

Moved by Simon-Peter's bold and precise statement, Jesus joyfully declares "Blessed are you". And why was he blessed? Well, because according to Jesus, this answer hadn't come through "flesh and blood" or even rigorous academic study. Instead, it was revealed by the Father who is in heaven. Peter's confession was more than just verbal, it was evidence of a changed heart—Peter's new spiritual reality.

Jesus is not content with what others say about Him. He asks for your answer.

Who do you say Jesus is?

Question 3: "How can a person be made right before God?" (Job 9:2)

The final question which still matters today is perhaps the Bible's most important from a human perspective. Of the three questions, this would be the one I would heartily encourage a seeker of truth to diligently search out the answer to.

The question is found in the ancient book of Job—the Bible's poetical section of books, also known as the wisdom literature. Considered by many Bible scholars to be the first written book of the Bible, it is jam packed full of questions. In fact, it wins the prize for the most amount of questions asked in a single book of the Bible.

The question probes how sinful humans (that's you and me)—who are presently in a state of enmity with their Creator—can be justified (made spiritually right) in His sight. In other words, what needs to happen to fix the broken relationship between God and man?

Interestingly, Job asks this question during a period of deep suffering and severe loss in his personal life. Having lost his family, wealth, and livelihood, he now contemplates his relationship with God in a completely new way. While grappling with real suffering, Job has come to realise what really matters.

His important question comes from a place of having experienced the frailty and futility of the human condition, of human sin and suffering. But it is Job's knowledge of the Creator—the Almighty's perfect holiness, justice, righteousness and power—that prompts His searching question, "How can a person, who is unclean, sinful, mortal, be made right (justified) before God who is holy, sinless and immortal?

Humans (past, present, and future) continue to grapple with this question, following all sorts of ideas and inventions to get right with God. But getting the answer wrong can mean spending an entire life trying to reach God in a way that neither pleases Him or is accepted by Him.

Again, the Bible is unmistakably clear. In John 3:16, Jesus describes God's loves for lost sinners and the means by which they can be saved (made right). He is answering Job's important question by pointing back to Himself as the very means and gift of salvation.

Thankfully, the Bible doesn't leave us in the dark or unclear when it comes to discovering the answers to these three important question. Summed up in the gospel, which literally means good news, the Bible not only asks the important questions that still matter today; it also provides the answers the world desperately needs.